Papua New Guinea: New Britain Extension I Trip Report

th st 17 to 21 July 2011 (5 days)

Tour Leaders: Erik Forsyth and Glen Valentine

Trip report compiled by Glen Valentine

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Tour Summary

The island of New Britain, situated in the warm Bismarck Sea just to the north of mainland New Guinea, forms part of the string of volcanic islands known as the Bismarck Archipelago. Famous amongst birders for its wealth of sought- after endemics, it makes for a very fine extension to our extremely popular Papua New Guinea birding adventures. Arriving in Hoskins in the late afternoon after our short flight from Port Moresby, we were immediately struck by the fabulous volcanic mountain scenery and we soon had the bags loaded up in the vehicle and were on the road towards our excellent and rather luxurious accommodation at the edge of Kimbe Bay. Our first morning had us setting out early towards a nearby ridge. Several random stops were made along the way and these yielded some good introductory including Eclectus Parrot, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Bismarck Crow, Long-tailed Myna and Knob-billed Fruit Dove. Carrying on towards Tovu Ridge we picked up yet more endemics in the form of Knob-billed and Yellowish Imperial Pigeons before arriving at our destination. The sky was clear and the heat had already set in by mid-morning resulting in very little activity on the ridge itself. We therefore continued towards a few other forest patches instead, picking up Slender-billed -Dove and White-rumped Swiftlet along the way. After a pleasant picnic lunch in the field we then made our way back to our lovely resort where a rest in the midday heat was appreciated by all. Birding in and around the lodge could be quite productive at times and those who ventured out into the gardens picked up some interesting , including Sacred and Common Kingfishers, New Britain , Shining Flycatcher, Black and Olive- backed Sunbirds, Red-banded Flowerpecker, nesting Variable Goshawk, and Pacific Reef Heron and White-bellied Sea Eagle along the beach. Our late afternoon excursion to Ella Ridge did not yield any new species but we did enjoy many more sightings of most of the species that were seen earlier in the morning. We did however obtain fabulous views of the usually shy Stephan’s Emerald Dove and endemic Buff-bellied Mannikin on our way back to the resort in the late afternoon. We set off very early the next day for the famous Pokili Wildlife Reserve where hundreds of Melanesian Megapodes breed in the warm, sandy, coastal forest. These unique birds are relatively tame and allowed for great views as always. Other noteworthy species seen in this large forest reserve included White-necked , Pacific Baza, Bar-tailed Cuckoo- Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Black-capped Paradise and White-mantled Kingfishers, Ashy , Northern Fantail and Red-banded Flowerpecker. We also made two trips up the fairly steep but rewarding Kilu Ridge and our time spent up here provided us with some of the best birding on the island! Highlights included the rarely

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seen Bismarck Hanging Parrot, excellent views of many Buff-faced Pygmy Parrots, gaudy Purple-bellied Lory, Red-flanked Lorikeet, scarce Song Parrot, often elusive Violaceous Coucal, Shining Bronze and Brush , Moustached Treeswift, Rainbow Bee-eater, magnificent Blyth’s Hornbill, White-bellied and Varried , We also undertook a very enjoyable boat trip into Kimbe Bay where we visited three tiny islands in search of the many “island tramp” endemics that are found here. Although the trip to and from the islands skirts the mainland and does not venture beyond the bay, we still added some interesting seabirds to the list. These included huge numbers of Black Noddy and a few Brown Noddy as well as Lesser Crested and Black-naped Terns and Lesser Frigatebird. Exciting species that were seen around the islands included MacKinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, highly sought- after and beautiful Nicobar Pigeon, Island Imperial Pigeon, Collared and Beach Kingfishers, Sclater’s Myzomela, Mangrove Golden Whistler, Island Monarch, Eastern Osprey and a very surprising encounter with the beautiful and rarely recorded Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove that flew past us and perched briefly on big Malu Malu. We also had the opportunity to don masks, snorkels and flippers and partake in some excellent snorkelling off Resorf Island. The ocean here is a lovely turquoise blue colour, is crystal clear and literally teems with the most elaborately coloured fish one could ever imagine! By the late morning we were heading back to shore where a scrumptious lunch awaited us. Our New Britain island extension provided us with a great deal of fantastic birding, a number of really special and localized endemics, fabulous scenery, excellent accommodation and food and an overall wholly enjoyable experience!

Photo Credits: All photographs by Glen Valentine on Rockjumper Birding Tours’ 2011 Papua New Guinea and New Britain birding trips. In order of appearance: Blyth’s Hornbill, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Tovu Ridge Scenery, Long-tailed Myna, White- necked Coucal, Kimbe Bay Scenery, Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon and Lesser Frigatebird.

Annotated Checklist of Birds Recorded

78 species recorded (1 heard only)

Nomenclature and follows the IOC 2.9 List of: Gill, F. and M. Wright. 2011. Birds of the World: Recommended English Names. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.

Key to endemic/near endemic abbreviations NG – endemic to New Guinea NB – endemic to New Britain BA – endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago NE – near endemic to New Guinea

Key to bracketing and square-bracketing Round bracket refers to the Clements name ( ) Square bracket refers to the IOC name [ ]

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Megapodes Megapodiidae Melanesian Megapode (Scrubfowl) (NE) Megapodius eremita Always a highlight of our visit to New Britain is the vast nesting colony at Pokili Wildlife Management Area. While walking through a small portion of the colony, we flushed several adults and had some great views of these strange birds skulking in the trees.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns Ardeidae Nankeen (Rufous) Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Several of these nocturnal herons were seen in wet depressions in the palm plantations and we even flushed a few that were feeding on frogs in the main road to Pokili. Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra Several dark and white morph birds were seen from our resort.

Frigatebirds Fregatidae Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Excellent views of at least a dozen of these “pirates of the ocean” were seen during our boat trip to the small offshore islands.

Cormorants, Shags Phalacrocoracidae Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos Two birds were encountered during our time on New Britain.

Ospreys Pandionidae [Eastern] Osprey Pandion cristatus Fabulous close-up views were had of several birds with especially memorable views of three birds flying around our boat at big Malu Malu. Note: IOC splits P. haliaetus into P. haliaetus (Western Osprey) and P. cristatus (Eastern Osprey), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, P. haliaetus (Osprey).

Kites, Hawks & Eagles Accipitridae Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Two birds were seen near Pokili Forest. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Abundant across the island. White-bellied Sea(-)Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Two birds were seen soaring in the vicinity of our resort. Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster Fairly commonly recorded throughout the tour.

Sandpipers Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus A total of seven birds were seen during the course of the tour. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos This widespread species was seen around our resort.

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Terns Sternidae Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Five birds were seen associating with a large flock of Black Noddy’s just offshore from our resort. Black Noddy Anous minutus Several large flocks were seen just offshore from our resort as well as on the boat trip. Swift (Great Crested) Tern Sterna bergii Several birds were seen roosting on sandbanks just offshore from our resort during low tide. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Accompanying the later species were small numbers of these smaller, orange-billed terns. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana This extremely elegant tern was seen well in the scope from our resort as well as in flight and perched during our boat trip. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Good numbers were seen from the resort and on the boat trip.

Pigeons & Doves Columbidae Common (Rock) Pigeon Columba livia Small numbers of these birds were seen near the airport. Slender-billed Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis Singletons and pairs were seen fairly regularly throughout the island. Bar-tailed (Black-billed) Cuckoo-Dove (NG) Macropygia nigrirostris A group of four birds was seen at forest edge near Pokili. Mackinlay’s (Spot-breasted) Cuckoo-Dove (BA) Macropygia mackinlayi At least six of these small island endemics were encountered during our boat trip to the offshore islands. Stephan's [Emerald] Dove Chalcophaps stephani Good views were had of this usually secretive understory dove on several occasions during our time on the island. Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica These bizarre birds were seen well in flight at Malu Malu and Restorf Islands and we also enjoyed scope views of two birds in the canopy on Restorf. This was undoubtedly one of the star birds of the extension! Superb Fruit(-)Dove Ptilinopus superbus Two separate females were seen. Yellow-bibbed Fruit(-)Dove (BA) Ptilinopus solomonensis We enjoyed flight and perched views of a single male on big Malu Malu; this is another seldom-seen small- island specialist and was a real surprise! Knob-billed Fruit(-)Dove (BA) Ptilinopus insolitus Large flocks were seen at most forest sites. Red-knobbed Imperial(-)Pigeon (BA) Ducula rubricera Abundant on New Britain, with well over a hundred birds being seen between our various birding sites. Finsch’s Imperial(-)Pigeon (BA) Ducula finschii The distinctive calls of this tricky-to-see pigeon were heard on several occasions. Island Imperial(-)Pigeon (BA) Ducula pistrinaria Good numbers were had on both small and big Malu Malu islands as well as on Restorf Island. Yellowish (Torresian) Imperial Pigeon (NE) Ducula subflavescens

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On New Britain this is one of the most regularly seen species. We enjoyed many fabulous looks at these large pied pigeons. Note: IOC splits D. spilorrhoa into D. spilorrhoa (Torresian Imperial Pigeon) and D. subflavescens (Yellowish Imperial Pigeon), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, D. spilorrhoa (Torresian Imperial Pigeon). Cockatoos Cacatuidae Blue-eyed Cockatoo (BA) Cacatua ophthalmica Pleasingly common on New Britain where the loud, rasping vocalizations of this species were a constant feature of the forests.

Parrots Psittacidae Bismarck (Green-fronted) Hanging(-)Parrot (BA) Loriculus tener A single female was seen briefly on Kilu Ridge on our first afternoon there with a pair showing at the same site the next afternoon. Buff-faced Pygmy(-)Parrot (NG) Micropsitta pusio Small groups of these miniscule parrots were seen on both afternoons on Kilu Ridge. Coconut (Rainbow) Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Common and widespread in the lowlands and hills. Note: IOC splits T. haematodus into T. rosenbergii (Biak Lorikeet), T. moluccanus (Rainbow Lorikeet) and T. rubritorquis (Red-collared Lorikeet), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, T. haematodus (Rainbow Lorikeet). Purple-bellied Lory (NG) Lorius hypoinochrous This gorgeous parrot was pleasantly common on New Britain, with up to 20 birds in a day. Red-flanked Lorikeet (NE) Charmosyna placentis This species was present throughout the island but was especially common and obtrusive on Kilu Ridge. Note: IOC only recognizes one species, C. placentis, whereas Clements splits C. placentis into C. placentis (Red-flanked Lorikeet) and C. diadema (New Caledonian Lorikeet). Song (Singing) Parrot (BA) Geoffroyus heteroclitus Some of the group was lucky to see this scarce parrot during the second afternoon on Kilu Ridge. Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus This gaudy parrot is much more abundant on New Britain than on mainland New Guinea, where we saw well over a hundred birds daily.

Cuckoos and Cuculidae White-necked (Pied) Coucal (BA) Centropus ateralbus A total of at least ten birds were seen during a day at Pokili and Kilu Ridge. Violaceous Coucal (BA) Centropus violaceus After much effort we finally saw a pair of these large, beautiful coucals during our first afternoon on Kilu Ridge. Shining Bronze(-)Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus This migrant from and New Zealand was seen rather briefly on Kilu Ridge. Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Several vocal birds were seen in secondary habitat. Note: IOC splits C. variolosus into C. variolosus (Brush Cuckoo) and C. sepulcralis (Rusty-breasted Cuckoo), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, C. variolosus (Brush Cuckoo).

Owls Strigidae New Britain Boobook (Hawk-Owl) (BA) Ninox varigata

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This scarce owl was heard at dusk on Kilu Ridge and had just come in to playback as the skies opened up on us and began pouring with rain. We stuck it out for several minutes hoping that the weather would lift but it never did and so we were forced down the mountain after coming so close to seeing this species.

Treeswifts Hemiprocnidae Moustached Treeswift (NE) Hemiprocne mystacea These impressive birds were seen regularly throughout the extension.

Swifts Apodidae White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius We found at least ten birds during the New Britain extension flying above the forested areas with most birds being found on Tovu Ridge. Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis Small numbers were seen in the lowlands and hills. Note: IOC only recognizes one species, A. vanikorensis (Uniform Swiftlet), whereas Clements splits A. vanikorensis into A. vanikorensis (Uniform Swiftlet) and A. palawanensis (Palawan Swiftlet).

Rollers Coraciidae [Oriental] Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Singletons and pairs were seen at most forest sites on New Britain.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Black-capped (Buff-breasted) Paradise(-)Kingfisher (BA)Tanysiptera sylvia We worked hard for this species and two birds showed briefly for most of the group at Pokili. Note: IOC splits T. sylvia into T. sylvia (Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher) and T. nigriceps (Black-capped Paradise Kingfisher), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, T. sylvia (Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher). White-mantled (New Britain) Kingfisher (BA) Todirhamphus albonotatus Often a difficult species, we enjoyed great views of a pair in Pokili Forest. Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris One was seen on Big Malu Malu while boating around the islands. Beach Kingfisher Todirhamphus saurophaga Two birds were seen on Restorf Island. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus This common wintering bird from Australia was seen on several occasions especially in the vicinity of our resort. Variable [Dwarf] Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus A single bird flashed across the gravel track leading into Pokili. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Commonly seen around the resort.

Bee-eaters Meropidae Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus This Australasian migrant was fairly common throughout the extension with especially good scope views being had on Kilu Ridge.

Hornbills Bucerotidae

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Blyth's Hornbill Aceros plicatus These impressive birds were seen regularly throughout the island and we were rewarded with many great views.

Honeyeaters Meliphagidae New Britain Friarbird (NB) Philemon cockerelli This species was fairly common on New Britain. Ashy Myzomela (BA) Myzomela cineracea A total of ten of these fast-moving birds were seen on New Britain. Sclater's (Scarlet-bibbed) Myzomela (BA) Myzomela sclateri At least eight were seen on the three small islands visited on our Bismarck Sea boat trip. This small is endemic to islands (mostly small ones) offshore the main Bismarck Islands. Black-bellied Myzomela (NB) Myzomela erythromelas This scarce honeyeater was only seen very briefly by some of the group on Kilu Ridge.

Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis Two separate birds were seen during our time on New Britain. Note: IOC splits C. papuensis into C. papuensis (White-bellied Cuckooshrike) and C. ingens (Manus Cuckooshrike), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, C. papuensis (White-bellied Cuckooshrike). Varied Triller leucomela Three birds were seen on Kilu Ridge. Note: IOC splits L. leucomela into L. leucomela (Varied Triller) and L. conjuncta (Mussau Triller), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, L. leucomela (Varied Triller).

Whistlers Pachycephalidae Mangrove (Black-tailed) [Golden] Whistler Pachycephala melanura A total of eight of these brightly coloured birds were seen while visiting big Malu Malu and Restorf Islands.

Drongos Dicruridae Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus Several birds were found during our time on New Britain.

Fantails Rhipiduridae Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys This widespread and abundant species was seen daily in fair numbers. Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris Pairs were seen at Pokili and on Kilu Ridge.

Monarchs Monarchidae Island Monarch (BA) Monarcha cinerascens Four lively but rather cooperative birds were seen while anchored at big Malu Malu. As its name implies, this is one of the small-island specialists. Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto This species was relatively common throughout the island and several males and females were seen.

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Crows and Jays Corvidae Bismarck Crow (BA) Corvus insularis This recent split from the Torresian Crow was common on New Britain. Note: IOC splits C. orru into C. orru (Torresian Crow) and C. insularis (Bismarck Crow), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, C. orru (Torresian Crow).

Swallows & Martins Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica This is the common swallow of the region and was widespread throughout the lowlands. Note: IOC splits H. tahitica into H. tahitica (Pacific Swallow) and H. domicola (Hill Swallow), whereas Clements only recognizes one species, H. tahitica (Pacific Swallow).

Starlings Sturnidae Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica We found this colonial starling to be abundant throughout the extension. Long-tailed Myna (BA) Mino kreffti We enjoyed several nice views of this species on New Britain. Perhaps this bird has the shortest tail of any bird species named long-tailed!

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Red-banded Flowerpecker (BA) Dicaeum eximium A total of four of these tiny and busy birds were seen on consecutive days at various forest localities.

Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Black Sunbird Leptocoma sericea Fairly common throughout the island with especially good views at our beachside resort. Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis This species was also seen on several occasions during the extension and several pairs showed well in the gardens of the resort.

Waxbills & Allies Estrildidae Buff-bellied Mannikin (Bismarck Munia) (BA) Lonchura melaena We had nice views of this endemic on consecutive days.

Annotated Checklist of Mammals Recorded

Variable Flying-fox Pteropus hypomelanus Some of the unidentified flying-foxes on New Britain were likely this widespread species based on their smaller size and more-furred back. Spinner Dolphin Stenella longirostris We had four come to our boat in Kimbe Bay allowing for close views of these playful creatures.

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